Tunes And Transformation

Still like that old time rock 'n' roll

That kind of music just soothes the soul

I reminisce about the days of old

With that old time rock 'n' roll

Bob Seeger

With strong roots in older styles such as blues, gospel, county and rhythm and blues, rock and roll music took the world by storm in the 1950s.  If you think the appeal of the beat found in these songs has lessened over the years, start playing a selection for a group of children.  Within moments first one, then another will start to move.  Before long all the guys and gals will be dancing to their hearts' content, loving every single minute of it.

A title slated to be released on October 21, 2014 proudly presents the lifetime achievements of one of music realm's greatest musicians.  Rock & Roll Highway: The Robbie Robertson Story (Christy Ottaviano Books, Henry Holt and Company) written by Sebastian Robertson with illustrations by Adam Gustavson chronicles this man's road to renown.  His focus never faltering this man is still living his dream.

The Last Waltz
On Thanksgiving night in 1976 the crowd cheered wildly, stomping their feet, demanding the return of their favorite band.  Having just completed a five-hour set of songs, The Band, came out for one more. "You're still there?" Robbie spoke into the microphone, exciting the fans further. ...

From this opening page the clock is turned back to 1945.  As early as two, Robbie was listening to popular tunes of the day coming forth from the family radio.  Frequent trips to the Six Nations Indian Reservation, where his mother had been raised, instilled a love of storytelling in his soul.  Gatherings of relatives, many bringing instruments, increased his desire to make and write music.  He lived and breathed it playing his guitar for hours.

How many kids at the age of thirteen have their own band which later becomes the opening act for a popular group?  Robbie and his buddies did.  He went on to write two songs for Ronnie Hawkins and The Hawks, this same band, which appeared on their next album.  Robbie was on his way to the big time; New York City to learn with some great musicians and later a chance to play with The Hawks.

Beginning as the bassist, then as guitarist, Robbie practiced non-stop. How many people sleep with their guitar?  Robbie did.  He was further inspired by seeing and being with musicians such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Buddy Holly.  Then came a phone call bringing about more transitions.

It was Bob Dylan.  The year was 1965.  They toured with Dylan, lived at his home in Woodstock, New York and recorded more music with him.  They became simply The Band, but the music they were developing was anything but simple.  Their sound, a blend of many, contributed to what is known today as Americana Music.

By 1970 Robbie and The Band commanded a huge presence in their field.  How many North American bands make the cover of Time?  They did.  And they did it first.


Author Sebastian Robertson is the son of musician Robbie Robertson, bringing a deeply personal perspective to the writing.  He divides the narrative into sections; each one emphasizing a significant event.  These are noted with headings such as:

Sleeping, 1945
We Are the People of the Longhouse or
Endless Highway---"Hey, Robbie? Ready to Take a Shot?"

This close relationship with the biographee, who is still living, gives the readers a more intimate look with the inclusion of numerous anecdotes. The writing style is informal but informative.


 Opening the dust jacket the illustration on the front shows a younger Robbie seated with his guitar on the back of the Cadillac driven by The Hawks from gig to gig.  It is set in a more rural scene depicting their cross county travels in the American South and all across Canada.  A beautiful full page portrait of a thoughtful, experienced Robertson covers the back.

Each time I read a book illustrated by Adam Gustavson his realistic paintings in oil seem ready to come to life. His illustrations heighten the narrative.  The layout, design and size of his visuals are dictated by his interpretation of the text.  Some pictures have borders; others flow from edge to edge and still more are smaller insets, elements stressing a portion of the storyline.  He uses light masterfully.

One of my favorite illustrations is of a younger Robbie lying in bed.  Resting against the side, near his head, is pictured the top portion of his guitar.  Above his head on the shelf is a transistor radio playing softly.  He is deep in thought, intent on the music.  Light, shadows and the color palette convey a sense of tranquility.


The best thing about nonfiction picture books is each reader brings to the book a certain amount of knowledge.  Sometimes you think you have an understanding of the topic but after reading a particular title, all you can think is "Wow, I never knew that before reading this?"  In reading Rock & Roll: The Robbie Robertson Story by Sebastian Robertson with illustrations by Adam Gustavson my knowledge of this particular musician grew by leaps and bounds.  For younger readers it will certainly serve as an inspiration.  A thorough annotated timeline with photographs is found at the back.  Sebastian Robertson also includes a two page question and answer with his dad.

For more information about the work of Adam Gustavson please follow the link embedded in his name.  To discover more about rock and roll follow the first link in this post to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website.  This link will take you to the publisher's website.  They include eight interior illustrations from this title.

This review/recommendation was written based upon an Advance Reader's Edition I received from my favorite independent bookstore, McLean & Eakin Booksellers located in Petoskey, Michigan.

Every single week I am thankful to be participating in the 2014 Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge at Kid Lit Frenzy hosted by Alyson Beecher.  Be sure to check out the other recommendations listed there.

UPDATE:  Sebastian Robertson is interviewed at Cynsations a blog hosted by author Cynthia Leitich Smith on February 15, 2017

Janitor Jitters

There is nothing better than sharing a fit of giggles with children.  When a particular line in a story strikes them (and you) as funny, their peals of laughter bursting forth are riches beyond measure.  Other times when an illustration extends, enhances or adds something new to the narrative, there will be a pin-drop-silent pause, glances will be exchanged, then like a stadium wave it starts and soon the room is filled with the sounds of hilarity.

Twelve years ago I purchased an audio CD, The Battle of the Mad Scientists and other tales of survival, filled with stories written and told by Bill Harley complete with musical interludes.  Two titles, The Great Sled Race and Mrs. Ammons And The Boys' Room, are perennial favorites.  Harley has a knack for portraying life exactly the way it is for guys and gals, getting to the heart of their feelings, their laughter, tears and fears.

It's this gift of knowing, whether it's their family or friends, the neighborhood nuances or school days, which brings readers into his stories immediately.  His most recent picture book, Lost and Found (Peachtree Publishers), illustrated by Adam Gustavson, is about the location of Lost and Found in a boy's school, a place avoided at all costs by everyone.  Childhood fears, real or imagined, are hard to let go. (How long was it before you let your arms or legs hang over the side of the bed?)


"Where's your hat?" Mom asked.
"I don't know," I said.

Justin's hat isn't just any hat.  It was handmade by his Grandmother who is coming for a visit on the weekend.  It's a favorite of his; blue and white with stars of orange all around.  It no longer has the red ball on top.

His Mom wants him to look in Lost and Found the minute he gets to school but that's not going to happen.  Students would rather never recover their belongings than go to Lost and Found.  With the help of friends Justin combs the playground, in his desk, under the hamster cage and behind the bookcase in his classroom.  His hat has vanished.

Justin's pals gather around him the next day to brainstorm possibilities but there's only one thing left to do, go to Lost and Found.  Going to Lost and Found means walking down the scary hall near the cafeteria and worst of all, talking to old, grumpy Mr. Rumkowsky, the janitor.  With good luck wishes ringing in his ears, he heads after lunch to what he believes is his doom.

A knock, an invitation to enter and a box so big, Justin needs a ladder to get to the top.  No hat is found on the first day, but items belonging to his friends are.  He's only skimmed the surface.  He'll have to go back.  His bravery lands him other requests for items to locate.

It's not nearly as frightening when he returns the next day.  In fact Mr. Rumkowsky says he can have any of the stuff he pulls out; it's been there so long.  Deeper into the box he goes, still no hat.  But the stuff he keeps, his friends are crazy about all the bizarre items.

On the next day his visit reveals things stranger and stranger.  Pretty soon he's going to reach the bottom.  Where is his hat?

You can't stop time and Friday arrives.  His Grandmother will be with his Mom when she picks him up after school.  What exactly is Justin going to find?  He may surprise his mom, delight his grandmother and old Mr. Rumkowsky...well, he's not the guardian of Lost and Found for nothing.


Bill Harley's skills as an oral teller translate well in his written work.  He establishes a rhythm in his narrative by using the repetition of key phrases in similar situations.  Through his use of dialogue character personalities shine.  As a teller he knows how to interest his audience, surround them with story and manage to surprise them a time or two.


Every single time I read this book I discover some new detail in the realistic, full color oil paintings rendered by Adam Gustavson.  Stark white endpapers feature autumn leaves in motion across the pages, the opening and closing differ in the portion of an object featured on each...foreshadowing?  Gustavson continues to include leaves scattered across his illustrations whenever the characters are outside (even reflected in the car's mirror) as well as on a bulletin board in the hallway inside the school.

The majority of the pictures extend across two pages zooming in to emphasize the character's importance or an object relative to the situation.  Details in every visual invite inspection; objects under the hamster's cage, (has the hamster figured out a way to escape), the large CAUTION on the mop bucket, multiple locks on the janitor's office door, Mr. Rumkowsky's duck-taped desk chair, or the mermaid tattoo on Mr. Rumkowsky's arm.  There is a noticeable warmth to Gustavson's people, in their eyes, mouths, hands and movements.  His portrayal of the inside and outside of the school is so real the feeling you get around a schoolyard or walking down the halls (you know what I mean), it's there.


Childhood fears are faced with unexpected results in Lost and Found written by two-time Grammy Award winning Bill Harley with illustrations painted in oil by Adam Gustavson.  Whether sharing one on one or as a group read aloud, this is a winner.  It is a recipient of the Parents' Choice Approved award under Picture Books for Fall 2012.

The Story Behind The Song

From a blistering pre-Thanksgiving Savannah, Georgia day in the 1850s a most unlikely song was born.  Jingle Bells:  How The Holiday Classic Came To Be written by John Harris and illustrated by Adam Gustavson proposes and illuminates that moment in time.  James Lord Pierpont's wish fostered by love still endures.

A sweltering humid heat stalked James Pierpont and his daughter, Lillie, on a November day.  As they entered the Unitarian Church glass crackled beneath Pierpont's feet; another thrown brick had broken a window.  A congregation, some members who were former slaves, was not a welcome one.

As they swept the glass Mr. Pierpont mused aloud about the cooler, snowy weather this time of year in his native Boston.  He could not believe that his daughter has never seen snow nor ridden in a sleigh with a brick warming her feet rather then being an instrument of destruction.  They are joined by a Mrs. FitzHugh and her daughter, Esther of four years; rare at this time for an African American child to be adopted by a Caucasian parent.

When they inquire about the new song for the holiday concert, Mr. Pierpont, music director for the church, admits he has none.  Still distracted by the heat he asks Esther if she has ever ridden in a sleigh or heard their bells ringing.  Moving up to the balcony he plays some notes on the organ imitating that sound. 

Remembering comments made by Mrs. FitzHugh in response to his playing and those enjoyable sleigh rides from his earlier years, he composes what was originally named One Horse Open Sleigh.  As the narrative continues the congregation is in for a treat, coming down the aisle the night of the concert ringing strands of bells are Esther and Lillie.  The other children file in behind them each carrying a bag.  Bells ringing the group finishes their cheerful new melody opening their bags filling the air with white feathers; it snowed in Savannah that evening.

In his author's note, John Harris, says:

I'm not a historian and don't claim to be one. ... All I've tried to do, really, is remind the reader that a small and unexpected chain of events can provide the inspiration for something much bigger--in this case, a song that the whole world knows and loves.

From a visit to Savannah, Georgia, conversations with people at the Unitarian Church and some research, Harris has penned a believable chain of events that lead to the composition of a tune that has lasted for more than 150 years as a favorite holiday classic.  The easy flow of conversation between his characters opens up a window into their world.  Most apparent in this telling is Pierpont's passion for his beliefs while serving at the Unitarian Church and keen imagination allowing him to depict the spirit of a northern holiday season in a unique manner.

The endpapers to this title covered with white feathers falling on a taupe background will most certainly pique readers' curiosity.  Illustrations rendered in oils on prepared 100% cotton archival water paper bring texture and vibrancy to the story.  It is pleasing to see that Gustavson varied his size and placement of visuals; using double page landscapes to enhance a point, the title page picture of the Unitarian Church, having a single page illustration bleed back onto the previous page, Pierpont and his daughter sweeping up the glass with a shattered path trailing to the left, or a single page followed by an inset, Pierpont going up to the organ loft followed by a close-up of his hand on the keys.  My favorite though is James Lord Pierpont happily playing the organ and singing his new composition in the loft followed by open-mouthed children joining in . 

This charming chronicle of a timeless tune portrayed in a fictional picture book by John Harris and Adam Gustavson is just what it is meant to be; a perfect piece of our historical pie to be enjoyed at each taste.  It will make readers think, wonder, or maybe do a little research of their own.  Perhaps they, too, will one day encounter, on a trip as John Harris did, through conversation, or through reading, a small portion of time that they can bring to light for others to enjoy.

Gone to the Dogs..



When the oil painting of Adam Gustavson is combined with his eye for layout, attention to detail and gift for creating an atmosphere appropriate to a time period the results are noteworthy.  The book's endpapers portray an aerial view of two mining camp layouts in dusty brown tones.  On the title page Dorsey is pictured stepping through a rocky opening saddle bags across his back.  When readers turn the page a lizard is watching the tail and back of Dorsey move out of view.  In those few pages Gustavson is conveying that a journey is taking place.

The story of Dorsey in this title, Calico Dorsey: Mail Dog of the Mining Camps, has been brought to readers with warmth, likely scenarios and just the right amount of facts by author, Susan Lendroth.  In the 1880s when the rush for gold and silver dictated whether a town would be built, Calico, California appeared.  At the time of this tale Everett Stacy ran the post office.

His brother, Al, discovered the border collie giving it a home.  Before long, Dorsey was a part of the daily life in Calico.  Later when Al went to the nearby Bismarck Mine to open up a general store, Dorsey followed.  What began as Dorsey disappearing for hours each day to visit friends in Calico developed into this dog actually carrying mail between the two mining communities. 

An author's note reveals further information about the two brothers and the border collie that they trained to carry the United States mail as well as an original photograph of Dorsey.
At the Legends of America web site further information can be found about Dorsey.  By going to this Official Ghost Town of California web site readers can gain insight into the process of making Calico the California State Silver Rush Ghost Town.